Vehicle spring controller



Sept. 16, 1,930. R, P, L N ING 1,776,036

VEHICLE SPRING CONTROLLER Filed Jan. 7. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 2| L @ymona/ Plans/ 1y BY W ATTORNEY Sept. 16, 1930. R. P. LANSING 1,776,036

VEHICLE SPRING CONTROLLER v Filed Jan. 7, 192'! 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. @ymond Plans/71 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 16, 1930 RAYMQND P. LANSING, F MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY VEHICLE SPRING CONTROLLER Application filed January 7, 192

'5 energy of a yieldable pressure member (usually a spring) to produce frictional resistance, means for controlling or varying the effective pressure of the spring or other yieldable member. Otherwise stated, appliances embodying the invention include means for applying spring pressure to produce frictional resistance and distinct means for regulating the eflective pressure of the spring. The last named means is usually so designed oradjusted that the spring pressure is reduced to .a predetermined extent at a predetermined point in the range of shock absorbing movement so that frictional resistance provided by the appliance is reduced,while the spring pressure applying means is in op erative condition. 7

The operativeadvantage of this combination or arrangement is that abrupt checkingof minor vehicle spring movements is avoided and the checking eflect upon greater vehicle spring movements is relieved to a predetermined extent at a predetermined point in such movements, usually at a time when the vericle spring approaches its normal or static position.

Anotherobject is to provide various structural and functional movements in. an appliance ofthis class,.as sufficiently explained hereafter. v

The accompanying drawings show two physical embodiments of the invention. After considering these examples, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made within the scope of the appended claims. e

In the drawings 2 v Fig. 1 is a horizontal section of a structure embodying the invention in one form.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the spring-regulating cams and adjacent parts.

Fig. 3is asection at 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4: is a view, partly in section and partly in plan, showing the parts in a different position from that of Fig. 1.

Serial No. 159,571.

Fig. 5 is a partial section showing another operative position.

Fig. 6 is a partial section showing still another operative position.

Fig. 7 is a section at 77, Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section of a modified construction.

Fig. 9 is a partial section of the same showing another operative position.

Fig. 10 is a similar section showing another operative position.

Fig. 11 is a similar section showing still another operative position.

Reterring first to Figs. 1 to 7:

The base plate 1 has means, such as stud bolts 1*, for securing it to a vehicle part such as the vertical web of a side frame member of a motor vehicle. A tubular spindle 2 is se cured to and projects outward from the base. A rotary structure is arranged to operate about the spindle. This includes a cupped member or casing '3 which has an inner plate apertured to form a bearing at 5 on the spindle,'and a cylindrical wall 6. At the open end of the housing or cupped member 3 is a cover plate 7 having a cylindrical peripheral flange 8 secured in a counterbore in wall 6 by rivets or screws 9. The plate also has a central cylindrical projection 10. The outward external margin of wall 6 is provided with teeth 11 similar to gear teeth. A lever arm 12, desirably of pressed sheet metal, has a peripheral flange 18, and an aperture 1 1 fitting about the cylindrical plate projection 10. An annular locking member or hub 15 is secured to the inner face of the lever, concentric with aperture 14, by suitable means such as rivets 16. The inner face of this locking member is provided with teeth 17 adapted to interfit with teeth 11. This toothed connection between the lever and the rotor casing is to provide for easily applying and securing the lever in the correct angular position after the appliance is secured to the vehicle frame, as sutficiently explained hereafter. is secured in position by a nut 18 engaging a screw thread on the outside of cylindrical ex tension 10 and the nut may be locked in any convenient way, for example by screws 19 passing through its flange 20 and engaging in The lever thi eaded holesin theslever Web; The router or free/end" of the, lever bas -any suitable means, such as the ball fitting 21, toreceive a link; the otherend of which is connected to suitable fitting-on thevehicle axle. ;;I- V Secured in housing 3, and (1esireb1y1ocatec1 I about theinner face of its'ewoall 6, aresgaaced' in unison Withthe hous tiOtheljfriction CHSQSQ I "fied' as inner disc's arel tei'soaced with the are outwardly placed and theyialways move '1 onter id'iscsend have on their inner, periph- ;;efi es;y1fi s inte'ffitting with spaced spline i .membei s 30, -the inward" endsfof whiohjai'e secniedin zi fpressure plate 31. The Central; aperture of this plate hasiscrewQthreede 32' .i ot ste ep 'pit0h,engagin g similar I 33" One-seem oreetfiator "which; splines intertitting I "135' cut on'i the outer face of, the spindle :2; The screw has a'shOuldflE? to i-ililiflflflh- V "pressure.fplatef l; which alsoll'ma y', b

' w'a'r'd" movement, of the "pressure {plate} fiend near its inward end it hes a snap to limit inwarclinovementoft-he plete the fs hot ldei" and-ri g bein positioned to vallow s'u hetantiallyi'otary and" plate, for reasons later ,7

' plgitje alweysffotetes with thef hons ing and othertpartsof the, rotary et uct-ure. ThQCGD? t'r'el portion of the-abutment plate s formed as aeicylindi'icelhnb 39 ha vinglinwaiidly pro- Ahelical spring jis located within hollow spindlehnd its-outer end hea s-egei Tan abutment flange A16 attheouter end 0mm;

' spindl'el j :Theinwaitdend ofthespring beers'f thishuh isepeced ffom the outef'ehd of the, "actuator" 'r: screw" 34 thy 2t speeingfi'ing el l The inner end vo fthe shrew. in effect b65158 I against plate t of the housing; 01': 9; Washer 42 maybe interposed, asv Shown.

eg ziihst the nut head e7 ofe sorewl i8. A

presently to be cleseribed to spaeer it} screw in retaininghibrieant anctexcluding dift oi foth'eif" suitable inaterieh is located about t n g and othei p arts of the rotary structure. j r 1;: Z, conven entlyidentt-.

" sei'ihed' a nut oo-operating with the" screw? The actlon of-theee pa ts, as lztter *ial. travel. of, the] eterited to. The" outer face ofthe pressure i ilete confronts the i'i'lwaid' face of mammirietio'n' cheek Spacing weshei ioliring 36 is locateda geinst I the outerefriotion .diso iliidits onter fe co conffohts theinner faceoft a pressure ebutme'ntg P ate 37,] Which ay otherwise be identified.

es'afeeih plate, TheYperiphery of this plate liesfllspaced lugs or teeth 38 interfitting With the eplineflnelnhefs25 sothet the abutment m mmylaced about the spihdle; inwerdendthismemberieprovided with j'mve or lugsfillinterfitting With the jaws or lng s f ercuate l ngths of the as Y are e@ which is cu'tfoi jprovicietl with eeth' orllu'ge, 1

38 :tndPlete 450i the housing. To properly; Y

take upfthie spring pressure and at the same time provide-.fo-rfproper rotation otthe, r0 tary' structure-e suitable: thrnst. bearing is interposed between plate ten'ctthe base plate 1. Thebearing conveniently. Consists" of a disc; or rihg hich maybe Ofbronze) interposed betweenplatesf 4 end" 1',- we to add I and Water, ejcompressible pecking ring 5 6offeltf;

the periphery of the bearin ring and secured i in anyv convenient wanes, bye'cnpped'wesheh or packing retainer 57. 1 t

iThe inn'er 'endoffthe hollow ie v1 closed by a disc 5510f thin sheetmetalls p jung into 2- shetlo -bore-15e.jg;j1"

"ext-en'sionllO is olo sed hyej so 'W connjjl'eting and: dirtien dfwete p'r'oo I Y t a ree-pie conneetion with the other teetui', .01? means for ieguhting thesprin Thie means: inc-hides; in' the present e bot ment, 'Cams ofanalogons devices operative interposed between pressure abutment; plate 37 and the springec'tnated'nut 49,-'-andfsuch* canisj therefore cohetitutef-in thisfihstziiice the means'fo'r transferring any spring-forge e134 plied to the nut 49, to'specer screw 3:5 e1 plate A, and then throught 1e thrnet hea ing to the base plate 1;:the outward thi'n'sto the, spring eonnter belencihg the stetedf'ihnand press m 'beingi'tekenby abutment flange 46 at the onter' end'ofthfe' spiiidlelj V The spiing reguleting means 3 v mere-reread to includes an inner; annuiaiqcami hodyf 4E0 ebovereferred to, which are 'f0li11i "t a part of the t pressure ebutmeht'plate ihub 5 39;" The outwardendotitheteemg member" is formed'with s 'aacetleems 62,? thei nd fbf T which are-beveled-oifslope sva;

65 (best shown in 3) interfitting with.

thereon, The inner face of the annular body is provided with cams 66 which'may be of similar formation to the cams 62 and of the same arcuate length. The principal requisite as to cam dimensions and arrangement is that they shall be of such number and arcuate length that the cams on'one of the bodies shall i-ntermesh with those on the other when in one rotative position (as shown in Fig. 2), and'preferably, with a substantial end. clearance between cams of the respective bodies, as indicated at 67, Fig. 2.

When the parts are assembled, as shown in the drawings, with the cams in the inter meshed position, as shown in Fig. 2, and with normal (minimum) spring pressure properly adjusted by adjustment of nut t9, the shock absorber is secured to a vehicle frame member before the lever arm 12 is applied to it. The ball end 21 ofthe lever is then connected to the vehicleaxle by a link of proper length, and the lever is applied to the shock absorber proper, and when so applied is by that act adjusted to the correct angular position for proper operation of theshock absorber. In applyingthe lever, the teeth 17 of the lever hub, ring 15 are intermeshedwith the teethv 11 of the casing, and the lever is secured by the lock nut 18. Evidently by providing a large number of interfitting teeth, each tooth being of small arcuate thickness, very little angular movement of'the'lever is necessary to make the teeth intermesh and therefore the lever is readily, applied in the correct angular relation to the shock absorber proper without particular care or attention of the workman.

It is usually considered, in motor vehicle practice, most desirable to control the reaction (or expansion) of the vehicle spring, and in the present embodiments therefore, the instrument is arranged to oppose substantial resistance to such vehicle spring move.- ments and to oppose "no resistance, or negligible resistance, to vehicle spring compression. In the following operative description it will therefore be understood that when the actuator and pressure plate screw thread have a right handlead, as shown, and the lever arm is arranged as shown with relation to the rest of the rotary structure, the arm moves counter-clockwise (as viewed from the right of Figs. ,1, 4, 5 and 6) during vehicle spring expansion, and any such movement applies frictional resistancetbut evidently by changing the lead of the screw threads or reversing the lever arm, the appliance would oppose resistance to vehicle spring compressio Fig. 1 shows a substantially idle or neutral position of, the, parts, corresponding to the normal spacing of the vehicle axle from the frame. For example, when a normal load is on the vehicle frame, and with the shock ab sorber properly designed and adjusted for the vehicle load and axle spacing, the parts will be in substantially the position of Fig. 1, when the vehicle is at rest. Pressure plate 31 is at or near the inner end of its permitted range of movement, being located near or against the inner stop ring 35; a small but substantial clearance exists at a between spacing ring 36 and pressure abutment plate 37. The disc pack is therefore free or loose and all of the frictionally acting parts are free from friction pressure. The pressure abutment plate 37 is in its innermost posi tion, with the inner end of its hub 39 resting against spacer 41. Spring is expanded as much as its adjustment by nut 49 will permit, the spring pressure being inactive or selfcontained and taken up between spindle abutment 46 and base plate 1 through the interposed parts, including thrust bearing 55, washer 42, screw 33, spacer ll, pressure plate hub 39, the cam bodies and 64, nut 49, spring screw 48 and its head 47. For the present, in explaining the action of what I call the spring pressure applying mechanism (in distinction from the spring regulating mechanism consisting mainly of the cams), the cams 61 and 64 will be considered merely as spacers for maintaining the spring nut 49 at a definite distance from spacer 41 when the spring is in inactive condition with its pressure self-contained or taken up, as in the manner just above explained.

The position of the parts shown in Fig.1 also is the position which they will occupy at the end of a substantial vehicle spring compression. In such a movement arm 12 has moved clockwise and evidently the extent of such clockwise movement beyond the normal or central axle position will not affect the positions of parts shown in Fig. 1, since any continued clockwise movement of arm 12 will only cause free turning of the outer friction discs in relation to the inner discs. After any such considerable vehicle spring compression, the spring will react or expand with accompanying movement of the axle away from the vehicle frame and in such movement arm 12 moves counter-clockwise.

In the first part of this movement the slight drag or frictional contacts of the discs, and especially the frictional effect of the interposed films of lubricant, causes the pressure plate 31 to move along with the arm and housing until any clearance between the discs is taken up, and in this slight rotation and accompanying outward axial movement of the pressure plate the disc pack and spacing ring 36 are moved outward until the clearance at a is taken up and the spacing ring is in contact with the pressure abutment plate 37. The continued rotation of the pressure nut outward andadditionally compresses thev spring} Substantial power is required? lfor this spring compression and; thus during" thestated range of .movemen.t,-*which may con--:

' plate then'bringsthe spring pressure to bear 1 upon the disc pack and this pressure. causes thediso's and pressure plateto rotate'together" I and thestated parts also inovef further'"out; axiallyfand in this movement the pressure abutment "plate acting through the inter posed spacers (cam bed1es)'inovesth e sprlng veniently be called the spring windrup period, a substantial resistance is' afforded to arm'movement. At the-end of this spring plied to produce the predeterminedsubstan- 'tial frictional resistance "to arm movement and checking of the vehicle! spring reaction, this resistance beingconstantexceptgtor the 1 changing'angularityof the arm, which niay be disregarded for present purposes. i

wind-up; period, thepressure plate comes in Contact ys' ith stop shoulderfik oii the screw and iurther rotation and axial inovenient is prevented, and thereafter the arm continues r movers the end'of the stated'vehicle spring movement {with accompanying slippage ,ot thefouter friction discs in relation to the in;

ner-discsand with "full spring pressure :1

; In the structure as so far described, the res sistance to'vehicle spring recoil will continue in full efiectup tothe "end 015 such recoil movement; also; full checklng resistancewill be a'fiordedfto slight recoil movements 00- 'curring,,for e'Xample,-whenthe vehicle 'is'run- 5. s n ng overhear-1y smooth 'roadsfand the application of this tull'frictional' resistance fl will cause unduly abrupt-checking and a rough- 'riding-efiect in 'some casesb Thea-spring regul at-in'g or ad' ustnigmeans, specifically in tlns L instance the cai'ns,'w1ll now be described, and

their effect in reducing the frictions'resistance r toward the-end of a long recoil'inoyement and 1',"ft hefcams and 66' are intermeshed; as- L'shoWn'in'FigQ"; that isyeach cam is located eovememsywflrbe xpl ins: I 'the substantially neutral positio in preventing abrupt checking of short recoil in .a 10W" spot orinter 'cam space of theopposite cam body c'am body Gtand spring njut49 r whichengages-it are therefore in their in ward positionsan'd' spring'45 is expanded to s the greatest'extent that theadj ustment "of nut 49 permits or," as otherwise stated, the spring is under a certain minimum'pressure; When any considerable Vehicle spring compression oocurs with accompanying clockwisemovea mentofarm'12',-cam body 61 turns with the pressure abutment plateS'Z by reason of their r j aw connection, and theabutment plate turns with the arm by reasonof its connection tosplines 25,; After the slight angular cam r clearance taken up, the slant faces o the cams engage and the outerlcam body 64c'is forcedfoutwardymoying nut 149 outward and .2 additionally compressing'spring 45 to an ex- 1- tent proportionaltothe angularfrnoyement; a until if the Vehicle spring compression-is'con-j siderableythe camsreachthe position of Fig; 4 Withtheir crestsfor lands in engagement with each other. Gai-nfbody 64 is then in; its outermost position and7spring 45 is corn I pressed'to the maximum extent'for whichthe s rind re tulati'n rneans is desi nedand ad;

' just'ed. A certain'efiort i's,fof course; reqnired to compress-the spring and to thijs'extent the stated vehicle spring compression movement is resisted or-retarded, and in this way the ap-f checking of Vehicle Spring cOmpressi nQ- This resistance need not, however, belarge'because' of the angularltyof the canifaces', and 1n" some-cases this checking effect is insignificant, v

The appliance isthen positionedas shown Fig; 4,1 ready afor an ensuing Vehicle spring recoil: During this recoil, the sp'ring'fpres sure applying and friction producin gdevices;

this spring fcoinpression' beingjadditional to that afforded by the cam'a'ction as just aboye- V explained. "Then whenthepressurep1ate en--'* counters the stop'shoulder' l 'and frictionalslippage between the; disc's c'oinmence's, the] maximum spring pressure is appliedto the -discs-toproduce frictionalresistance-to the 7 T600111 movement. This, maximum resistance continues until'cam body 1'61, rotating Wit thepressure abutment plate, reaches" such a" position that itsc'a'rn and'cams 66. of the other cam body commence t0 intermesh, thatisylthe outeri cams 'beingto ride down the slant faces; ofthe inner cams with accompanying iii-ward movement of the outer cam body 64; andwith 5 proport-ional redu ction ofthe spring pressure, until theipartjs :reach' the position? of t Fig? 6; I when -the camsagain-,cfompletely"intermesh; I v.

the spring pressure relaxed to martin; e22 I tent"; permitted the spring regulating mechani'sm, but frictionalslippage with :IB-f duced spring pressure continues until the endofthestatedrecoil-movement. This re- I duction-fof spring 'pressure provides for r relaxation of; thefrictionalretardation; and; 20"",

the cams areusual ly so adjusted that the re-- duction of springjpressureand of frictional resistance commences as the axle approaches .4 its normal or neutral positiongjIn this-way". r abrupt checking o'fzshort recoils ispreyented;

and in longer recoils ther frictional resistance is relaxed as'th'e a'xle'approachesneutral'posi o tion and only a reduced iflf ictional resistance j r is afforded to further movementot theaxle beyond the neutralfposition;

Evidently the m my be disersh li r' -Q-j. it

plianceafiordsa desirable slight or moderate ranged or proportioned and differently posiwhich the spring regulatin cams are located inwardly of the actuator, and other structural changes are included as noted hereafter.

} Thebase plate andspindle are substantially the same as in the other example. The

' housing of the rotary structure includes an inner plate 100, revolubly mounted about the spindle, and a thrust bearing is interposed be- .tween this plate and the base plate, as in the previous example. The housing is completed by an outer cup-shaped member 101, the cylindrical wall 102 of which has at its inner, open, end, a flange 103 secured to plate by screws 104:. The outer or closed end of the cupped member is formed with a shoulder H105 to center the lever arm 12, which has a ring shaped hub 15, provided with teeth to engage tooth formations on the housing, for the-purpose of readily adjusting or securmg. the lever in position, as in the previous example. The lever in this instance 1s, however, secured in position by a screw 106 having abroad head 107 engaged within a countersin'lr108 in the end wall of the housing. A

locking nut 109 engaging the screw, has a fiange110 engaging a locklng plate 111,

' which in turn overlies the lever arm and holds it in position. The nut 109 may be located in 1 any convenient way, as by a cotter pin 112.

The arrangement of splines, pressure plate and friction discs and the outer spacing ring orwasher, are substantially as in the previous example, the parts are similarly numbered. In the present structure or arrangement, however, the cams for regulating the spring pressure, are, as above stated, located inwardlywith respect to the screw or actuator 34 and because of that arrangement the actuator has a spline connection with the spindle,

not only to keep it from rotating,'but to permit axial movement of the actuator on the spindle. A spacing sleeve is located between the outer end of the actuator and the pressure abutment plate 116, which, in this example, has a'central, part-spherical socket 117 in which is engaged the part-spherical head 118 of a screw 119 on the inner end of which is threaded a nut 120 engaging the inner end of the spring 45. Thespring is arranged substantially as in the previous example, that is, with its outward end engaging a-shoulder 46 on the spindle, and 1ts inner end-engages the nut 120. The normal or.

the appliance and before the closure plate is inserted. The adjustment of nut 120 is maintained by any convenient locking means, such as the cotter pin 121.

The inward one of the sprmg regulating cams, or rather the series of spaced cam :formations 125, which together constitute the inward cam structure, are in this example conveniently formed integrally with the central portion of plate 100, about its bearing aperture. To co-operate with these cam formations an outer cam body 180 is provided, having teeth or splines 131 to cooperate with the spindle splines, and on its inner face the cam body has spaced cam formations 152 to co-operate with cams 125,

substantially as explained in connection with the regulating cams 1n the previous example. Cam body 130 is interposed between the inner cnd of the actuator, and the cam formations on plate 100.

The operation of this form of the invention is substantially the same as in the previous example, except, that in the spring regulating or adjusting action, caused by rotation of plate 100 and its cam members in relation to cams 132 on cam body 130, the actuator 34 and all parts which co-operate with it are moved bodily outward. That is to say, when arm 12 moves clockwise during a vehicle spring compression, the consequent rotation of plate 100 causes cam body to move axially outward and at the same time the actuator, pressure plate, disc pack, spacing ring andpressure abutment plate 116 are moved outward to additionally compress or energize the spring. In this outward movement, the teeth or lugs of the outer friction discs slide at their spline members. It will be evident that such outward movement of the stated parts does not in any way affect the application of spring pressure to the friction discs since such application can be effected only by oscillation of arm 12 in the other direction. At the end of such a vehicle spring compression movement the cams and other parts are positioned as in Fig. 9. When the vehicle spring recoils, the action is the same as in the previous example. The clearance at a is first taken up and then during further rotation of the arm in the counterclockwise direction and accompanying further rotation of the pressure plate upon the actuator, the spring is additionally compressed. and finally the parts are positioned as in Fig. 10. The full compression of the spring is indicated by the clearance at b between the outer end of the spacer 115 and the pressure abutment plate 116. The arm continues to move counter-clockwise to the end of the recoil stroke, with accompanying slippage of the friction discs, at first under full spring pressure, and then as the cams commence to mesh together in turning toward the position of Fig. 11, the spring pressure is, progressively relieved withrconsequentire- 7 jduction of the frictional. resistanc nnd final- 41y zitgthe .end; of such .a recoil movement the partsjare shown esin Fig; llyvviththe cams fully meshed, and with the cam body 130 inits inward positiom In going. tothat-posifling means ectmgidnring' a; rotationin the-f V ationof-course; the rotary parts includingthe- V nctnatorithe; pressure 'plate, disc pack and g pressurez'tbutment platehaveimoved inward, 1

butQtheI clearance is still maintained; t t 'bfby' pressure; andfrejesteblishing clearance ing the eflectof the, pressure-member. i V e {An appliance oft'heclass described com-' pris the pressure of the pressure member to1proeffective pressureofithe pressure member.

arm 12 vvi llmove clockwise, and that move- I men't causes the pressure plate to rotate and i fmove axially inward, relieving-j the discs of .fr'iction inta kiln appl'i 'bers sure,ands-spring reguleiting meens -uacting duringarotary,movementy noneidlrection' to: compress; the-ispring; vhereafterithe' increased spring pressure 15 applied by action 7 of the spr1ng5e' pply1ngmeans, sand regulat 707 other direction 'to'reldgr; the" spring pressure and to reduce fr ct onalres stance While} thesp'rmg;applying means c is stillln' nctlvej condition: 7 l .-I

once cit-the class described comc prising relatively rev'oluble 1 fr ction :mem-

bers, 'n ndi additionalspring-pr r g lating neans efl'ective in normal-operation j 1 ;-to very the'springpressure; ;1;. An appliance offthe 'classi described com- Z prising relatively movable members,vfriction means;,{ a; yieldablefpressure 'meinber,ff means for applying the pressure memberto produce iricti on, and meensfacting vduring movement of. seidrelzttively movablemembers forregu elating Ie'fictiv pressure so applied. f2; appliance ofthe class describedcom- ;-p;rising relatively movable members, friction means, le yieldable pressure member,,means :fOfQziPplyingthe pressure member-toproduce friction and means acting-- during movement 1 of'said relatively movable members for very 8; An iipplinnce oif 'the class arising relatively v revoluble iriction 'mem-c z ers, awspring, spring "pressurefiepplying means including relatively moveble angular members acting in one dlrect -onfof V rotation members acting in one 'direction of rotation lto epjplyspring pressure to thezfrict'ionmemj f I .bers, and spring regulating.means'zcompris ing'e friction mei'nber enother relatively re'voluble friction member,- ja .yieldable pres- 7 su te'rriernber, means acting"duringmoveiment of a friction member monedirection toiajpp'ly:

? duce frictionalresistancd andmeens acting idurmg} a rotatlve movement to regulatethe .gcom'prisingja:bQSe,Va spindle extending from, an actuatorthereon, a spring,

i1 '1g* relatively revolu'ble f an u ar membersaq00 Y and connections by which said members .dur-

L P mg pressure. 1

- 10. An appliance of tlieiclessdescribed V riction plates, and means co-operating 'With' the. ac-

-pri'sing a friction member, anotherrelatively re'v'oluble friction member, a yieldable pressure' n1ember,means acting during movement j of a fr ction member n onedirection to apply .c

the pressure of the pressuremember to pro- .7 cdnce frictional resistance; and means acting duringe rotgitive movement to vary the effective pressure of the pressure member. J a

p An appliance of the cljess described com the-spring to produce friction pressure, and

means acting during rotaryxinovementto vary theiefiective'spring pressure Whil the ing condition.

v tnzttor to zip'ply springpressure tothe plates forproducingfrictional"resistance, torotary moven' enu -a-ndladditional? spring regulate; 1 I

ing means acting during erot'ary movement to vary the eliectlves-prmg pressure.

v An appliance-of the class described i 1 comprising ajhase a spindleextendingtherei rom san actuator thereon, a Spring,fricti0n" 15;

i plates, and means co-opera'tin g iththe' a'cftnator to-applyspring pressure'ato' theplates p,

for producingfrictional resistanceto rotary it movenientpiandrelatively -fixed, and-rotary i cam {members act ng 1 during rotery'fmove 12o merit to vary the ,elffectivefspring pressure,

fizsirxn appliance ,offtheclass-described 1* i comprising e bese, asp'ind'le e tendi-ngth'ere-f spring is, stillinfsctiveLand pressnre apply- An iippliz nce" or, the ciaggesei itn,

comprising a friction member, v another relative'ly revolnble' friction member, ,a: gspnn meansecting during a rotary movement to apply .thespring t'o produce irictionccprest e. i in; ne

'from n ectuetor :tl1ereon,"a spring friction plates, and meansco-operatlng with the do 125 j tna tor to apply spring pressuretdfl e'plates; I ior producingffrictional resistance torotery 7 movement," and relatively c fixedjend rotary vcam membersfectihg during ,{rotary'move- 7 "t9, empr s theisprins -ie described com s5,

there- 1 65 I and in rotary movement in the other direc tion to relax the spring pressure and so to reduce the effective pressure on the friction members.

18. A vehicle spring controller comprising relatively revoluble main members, friction means operatively intermediate the members, a spring, means acting upon relative movement of said members to compress the spring and apply its pressure to the friction means, and regulating means acting in a part of the stated movement to change the pressure value of the spring.

14. An appliance of the class described comprising a base adapted for connection to a vehicle part, a relatively rotary structure, a pressed sheet metal lever arm, means for securing it to the rotary structure, and a separate toothed ring connected to the arm and engaging teeth on the rotary structure to admit irrevoluble connection of the lever to said structure in different angular positions.

15. A shock absorber comprising friction means, pressure-applying means, and automatically acting pressure-regulating means.

16. A shock absorber comprising relatively rotatable friction elements, a spring, means for applying spring-force to said elements, and automatically acting means for varying the effective spring-force while said first named means is still in active condition.

17 A vehicle spring controller comprising relatively revoluble main members, friction means operatively intermediate the members, a spring maintained in compression and operatively. ineffective in a neutral position of said members, means acting upon relative movement of the members in one direction to additionally compress the spring and apply its pressure to the friction means, and means acting during such movement to reduce the spring pressure while it is still effective.

18. An appliance of the class described comprising a base, a spindle extending therefrom, a spring, an actuator mounted about the spindle, friction means including a pressure member having angular revoluble connection with the actuator, an abutment connected withthe spring, and relatively fixed and movable members having angular cooperating surfaces and arranged during a relative movement of parts of the friction means to vary the efiective spring pressure.

19. An appliance of the class described comprising a base, a spindle extending therefrom, a spring, an actuator mounted about the spindle, friction means including a pres sure member having angular revoluble connection with the actuator, a structure including a lever arm and revoluble about the spindle, an abutment for the friction means connected to rotate with said structure, means operatively connecting the spring and the abutment, and relatively fixed and movable cams acting during a movement of said structure to vary the axial position of the abutment and thereby change the effective spring pressure.

20. An appliance of the class described comprising a base plate, a tubular spindle projecting therefrom, a structure mounted for rotation about the spindle and having a lever arm, an actuator mounted about the spindle, a pressure plate having a screw connection with the actuator, a pressure abutment plate connected to the rotary structure, friction means intermediate the pressure and abutment plates, a cam connected to rotate with the pressure abutment plate about the spindle, another cam arranged for axial and non-rotative movement, a spring within the spindle reacting at one end against the spindle, and means for applying pressure from the other end of the spring to the non-rotative cam.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 6th day of January A. D. 1927.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. 

